27.11.2012.

Meeting between defence ministers of Serbia and Italy

First Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Aleksandar Vucic met with Minister of Defence of the Republic of Italy Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola at the Palace of Serbia.

Speaking about the importance of today's meeting, Minister Vucic pointed out that the talks with his Italian counterpart referred to all the key political issues, on the future of Serbia and its European path, on bilateral cooperation, as well as the enhancement of relations between the two countries.

- Serbia has a true ally and a great friend in Italy and will be able to count on the support and assistance of Italy in the future, and not on its EU course. Admiral Di Paola said that we had 22 activities within the Ministry of Defence, but it is little compared to how much more we could cooperate – Minister Vucic said calling for even higher level of cooperation in the future, especially when it comes to military educational, military medical and military economic cooperation.

The minister expressed his hope that the cooperation in the field of peacekeeping operations will continue, stating that "where the Serbian and Italian soldiers are together, there have never been any problems", and also, that the help from this country is expected in the area of defence systems. During the visit, as Minister Vucic said, the Italian representatives were presented the capacities of the Serbian defence industry concerning which some concrete agreements are expected soon.

Admiral Di Paola pointed out that he had visited the Palace of Serbia several months ago as part of the delegation led by the Italian Prime Minister Monti.

- I am back here, and it proves how strong the political ties that bind Italy and Serbia are. We also cherish our strong friendship that lasts and that is not connected to any change of political power in our country. These are the ties between the two nations, and nations survive longer than the governments, the Italian Defence Minister said.

He added that it was the will and desire of Italy to deepen and improve the quality of cooperation in the field of defence.

- It is not the number of cooperation activities which is important, but it is their quality and we will work on it. As for the bilateral cooperation between the countries, it should be viewed in a broader perspective, the perspective of the European Union. We are facing a historic moment, and for all of us from the EU it is a great challenge, Admiral said, and suggesting that there should be created a European reality that would have a role at the global level.

- Italy, as one of the EU founding nations, believes that the Union cannot exist without Serbia, because Serbia belongs in the EU. On that course Serbia has to do its part of job, which can be painful, but it is something which has to be done because we really believe in Serbia’s European future, Di Paola concluded.

Today's meeting was attended by the Serbian Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Ljubisa Dikovi?.